Lesson 22 How Can You Share the Good News?

[Image:] A Bible student preaching to his workmate during a lunch break in a repair shop.

[Press play to hear the MP3 of the Lesson]

As you learn Bible truths, you may think, ‘Everyone should know about this!’ True, everyone does need to know it! Yet, you may feel nervous about telling others what you have learned. Let us discuss how you can overcome that nervousness and begin happily sharing the Bible’s good news.

1. How can you share what you have learned with people you know?

Jesus’ disciples said: “We cannot stop speaking about the things we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:20) They valued the truth so much that they wanted to share it with as many people as possible. Do you feel the same way? If so, look for opportunities when you can respectfully tell your family and friends what you have learned. Read Colossians 4:6.

[Read scripture] Colossians 4:6: Let your words always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should answer each person. [End of Read scripture]

[Box] Some Ways to Get Started

When talking with family, introduce a Bible topic by saying: “I learned something interesting this week.”

Share an encouraging scripture with a friend who is sick or anxious.

Tell workmates who ask about your week what you learned at your Bible study or at a congregation meeting.

Show your friends the jw.org website.

Invite others to sit in on your Bible study, or show them how to request one on jw.org. [End of box]

2. Why is preaching with the congregation a worthwhile goal?

Jesus’ disciples did more than just share the good news with people they knew. Jesus “sent them out by twos ahead of him into every city” to preach. (Luke 10:1)

[Quotation] Luke 10:1: After these things the Lord designated 70 others and sent them out by twos ahead of him into every city and place where he himself was to go. [End Quotation]

That organized preaching work gave many more people an opportunity to hear the good news. Preaching together also brought much joy to the disciples.

[Quotation] Luke 10:17: Then the 70 returned with joy, saying: “Lord, even the demons are made subject to us by the use of your name.” [End Quotation]

Could you likewise make it your goal to preach with the congregation?

Dig Deeper

Consider how you can overcome nervousness and experience the joy that comes from sharing the good news.

3. Jehovah will be with you

Some who want to preach may feel nervous about the impression they will make or the reaction they may receive.

Are you nervous about sharing what you have learned? Why, or why not?

Play the video I Prayed to Jehovah for Courage (4:05), and then discuss the question that follows.

[Disclaimer: The following video is created by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; however, the audio description has been added by independent blind and sighted volunteers to assist those who are blind or have low vision]

[Click for Transcript]|[I prayed to Jehovah for Courage]
[Text: Ana]
Ana: I didn’t identify myself as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses because I was scared of what kids at school would say about me.
[Text: Bianca]
Bianca: Peer pressure is probably the worst one erm you don’t just get peer pressure from friends, but you also get it from you know your teachers.
[Text: Johnathan]
Johnathan: Some of my friends who joined this new Christian group started spreading false rumors about Jehovah’s Witnesses. Many of them said we were led by some unknown leader at the top. At first, I wanted to stand up and say, “Well, that’s not true!” However, I started becoming fearful.
[Head down he walks home alone]
Ana: I was hanging out with the wrong crowd, and girls invited me to go play in the park after school. Something kind of told me that I shouldn’t have gone with them, but I still went. And out of nowhere, I see two young men come, and they tried to steal our backpacks. They started arguing with the boys in our group, and they started fighting too. The police came, and when I saw the police, I thought I was going to get into a lot of trouble, so I just ran away.”
Bianca: One time, the teacher at school was mocking all religions saying you know, ‘The Bible is outdated,” and “How can you know that God exists? You know, “People have rewritten it so many times. How can you know it’s the truth?” And I remember thinking to myself, ‘I should say something.’ You know, I did this the night before, ‘I should say something.’ And then my friend goes next to me goes, “Bianca is a Jehovah’s Witness.” The teacher looks at me you know, wide eyed and said, “Do you have anything to say?” And I just stood there, you know I didn’t know what to say, and then the bell rang, and I was just relieved.
[Johnathan and Mom hug]
Johnathan: I felt how I imagine Peter would have felt.
Ana: My conscience kept bothering me, and I knew that Jehovah didn’t approve of my association.
Bianca: The fact that I had to open my mouth and kinda prove myself, you know just made me just cramp up inside, and I felt very disappointed in myself.
Ana: I said a prayer to Jehovah, and I asked him to give me courage to stand up and say that I was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I remember a brother who gave a talk once, and he cited from the words of Mark 8:38, where it says that we shouldn’t be ashamed of following Jesus because he would be ashamed of us. Those words really touched my heart, and I knew that I had to make changes soon.
Johnathan: After I had considered the example of Jesus, I prayed to Jehovah, one for courage and also for another opportunity to defend his name.
Bianca: Talking to Mum was probably the biggest one. Her experience and her knowledge kind of helped to give me the courage to keep going.
Johnathan: Identifying myself as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses has served as a protection.
Bianca: In biology class, we were talking about the topic of blood, and my teacher brought up the comment of those JW people they will let their kids die. I said a really quick prayer to Jehovah because I knew that was not the truth. So, I stood up, and I said, “We’re called Jehovah’s Witnesses, and we don’t allow our kids to die.” I was so happy after that moment.
Johnathan: I was able to give a witness when my schoolmates started asking me about what we really believe and practice. And I was able to give them a much more accurate understanding of how our organization functions.
Ana: Now that I’m able to stand firm in my beliefs, I feel much better.
Bianca: You’re doing it for Jehovah, and you’re doing it for yourself. You’re not doing it to make them happy; you’re doing it to make Jehovah happy. When I feel scared or afraid, I say a quick prayer to Jehovah, and he gives me the courage to defend my faith and keep going.
Johnathan: I have gained the respect and admiration of my schoolmates.
Ana: I’m not ashamed anymore of identifying myself as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Johnathan: And now I’m proud to represent Jehovah.
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2015 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]

How did these young Witnesses overcome their fears?

Read Isaiah 41:10, and then discuss the question that follows:

[Read scripture] Isaiah 41:10: Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be anxious, for I am your God. I will fortify you, yes, I will help you, I will really hold on to you with my right hand of righteousness.’ [End of Read scripture]

When you feel afraid to preach, how will prayer help you?

[Image:] Collage: A female Bible student preaching to a woman sitting on a park bench. 1. The Bible student prays. 2. She shares a point from the Bible with the woman.

[Box] Did You Know?

Many of Jehovah’s Witnesses once thought that they could never share the good news with others. Sergey, for example, felt worthless and found it difficult to communicate. But then he studied the Bible. He says: “Despite my fear, I began to talk to others about what I was learning. To my great surprise, telling others about the Bible actually boosted my self-confidence. It also strengthened these new beliefs in my own heart.” [End of box]

4. Be respectful

When sharing the good news, consider not only what to say but also how to say it. Read 2 Timothy 2:24 and 1 Peter 3:15, and then discuss the questions that follow:

[Read scripture] 2 Timothy 2:24: For a slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be gentle toward all, qualified to teach, showing restraint when wronged, [End of Read scripture]

[Read scripture] 1 Peter 3:15: But sanctify the Christ as Lord in your hearts, always ready to make a defense before everyone who demands of you a reason for the hope you have, but doing so with a mild temper and deep respect. [End of Read scripture]

How could you apply these verses when talking to others about the Bible?

Some family members or friends may not agree with you. What could you do? What should you not do?

Why might it be better to use tactful questions rather than forceful statements?

[Image:] A Bible student sharing something from the Bible with his relative.

5. Sharing the good news brings joy

Jehovah gave Jesus the work of sharing the good news. How did Jesus view that work? Read John 4:34, and then discuss the questions that follow:

[Read scripture] John 4:34: Jesus said to them: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. [End of Read scripture]

Eating good food sustains our life and makes us happy. Why did Jesus compare doing God’s will, including sharing the good news, to eating food?

What joys do you think may come from sharing the good news?

[Box] Tips

During the midweek meeting, look for ways that you can start conversations.

Consider enrolling as a student on the midweek meeting. Student assignments can help you feel more prepared to tell others what you are learning.

Use the “Some People Say” or “Someone May Ask” sections in this course to practice how you could reply to common questions and objections. [End of box]

[Box]

Someone May Ask: “What’s new with you?” How could you use this opportunity to tell the person about what you have learned on your Bible study? [End of box]

Summary

Sharing the good news with others brings joy, and getting started may be easier than you think.

Review

Why share the good news with others?

How can you do so in a respectful way?

How can you overcome any nervousness you may have about preaching?

Goal

Think of one person with whom you could share the good news. Think about what to say, how to say it, and when to say it. Set Other Goals

Explore

Consider four simple ways you could share the good news using the jw.org contact card. Sample JW.ORG Contact Card Presentation (1:43)

[Click for transcript]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]

Learn about four qualities that can help you to share the good news. “Are You Ready to Become a Fisher of Men?” (The Watchtower, September 2020)

[Click for article]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]

Watch how a Bible example can give us courage to share the good news, even if we are young. Jehovah Will Help You Be Bold (11:59)